Box Score

DAHLONEGA, GA – North Georgia College & State University used a six-run eighth inning, including back-to-back home runs to come from behind for a 10-9 victory over West Georgia Tuesday afternoon in non-conference action.

The Saints improve to 27-22 on the season with the comeback victory, while the University of West Georgia falls to 13-30 on the year.

West Georgia jumped out on top in the first two innings, pushing three runs across in the first and two more in the second for a 5-0 lead. Cody Jackson delivered a two-run single in the first, and Eric Melton singled to right field in the second inning and later scored on an error for the five-run lead.

North Georgia added a pair of runs in the third and fifth innings, using a Jordan Erisman single through the left side and Brad Hall groundout in the third inning to score a pair of runs, while Zach Bennett drove in a run in the fifth with a single, and Chad Sage was credited with an RBI as he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

With the Wolves taking a 9-4 lead to the last of the eighth, the Saints loaded the bases on a trio of singles before a wild pitch brought Nicholas Fryman trotting home to make it 9-5.

After the wild pitch, Andre Airich forced a full count before drawing his third walk of the day to load the bases and bring Brad Hall to the plate took the first pitch he saw and launched his team-leading 11th home run of the year down the left field line tie the game 9-9. Bennett then came to the plate and went back-to-back, blasting a solo homer to right center to give North Georgia their first lead of the day at 10-9.

Nick White (1-0) picked up his first win of the year in relief, tossing one-third of an inning and striking out the only batter he faced to grab the victory. Jacob Rickett came on to pitch the ninth for his third save of the year, allowing a leadoff single before striking out the side.

John Lees (1-4) suffered the loss for the Wolves, coming on in the eighth and not recording an out while allowing five runs on four hits, including a pair of home runs.

The Saints return to the diamond on Wednesday afternoon, playing host to North Greenville University in a pair of 7-inning games against the Crusaders in non-conference action. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 4:00 p.m.